Potential PhD Research Projects 2012 – 2013

The world faces critical food security issues due to the combined pressures of population growth, depletion of finite resources and uncertainty in future climate. Of particular concern is the depletion of stocks in wild fisheries, and land-based aquaculture is one response to this problem. This research will look at opportunities to engineer highly efficient, integrated food production systems that combine novel water and nutrient recycling streams to maximise productivity while minimising waste. Conventional forms of aquaculture require large amounts of fresh water to flush the system and maintain a fresh environment for fish; integrated aquaculture uses productive plant systems (such as vegetable garden beds) to filter the water and re-use the nutrients generated by the fish production. This provides a highly productive system supplying nutritious food. The research is divided into three main themes with a variety of potential student projects: Theme 1. Microbiological and water quality aspects • Measuring microbiological and chemical parameters of the water • Determining tolerances / thresholds in terms of input water quality (potable, stormwater, wastewater) • Sensors for online water quality monitoring. Theme 2. Technical feasibility and design aspects • Review of backyard “aquaponics” installations • Steady-state and transient modelling • Assessment of nutritional and financial yield • Comparison of plant and animal species • Life cycle assessment and sustainable fish feeds • Open versus closed system design. Theme 3. Community engagement • Urban agriculture / aquaculture: governance, funding and maintenance issues.